1. We used the conventions of the thriller genre in our titles by naming it ‘Negatives’ which
applies to Barthes’ theory of semiotics and signs - the title is one word, and is bold and a
strong word. The word ‘negatives’ is twofold – it is able to apply to the film in many ways – it
not only applies to how the film is based around a photographer so therefore she uses
negative photos often, we also film a scene around the negative photos. Another way this
applies to our film is that the people the photographer is working with could potentially have
a negative future. So this is similar to other films as by the end of the film you see how the
movie title applies to the whole film and to certain scenes, and it is one word so is
memorable. For example, Se7en – applies to how a serial killer uses the seven deadly sins as
the way for killing people, also is one word so is bold and memorable. Also, the novel was
written based on this film and a series of seven publications were published with each of the
seven issues dedicated to one of the seven sins. So, again, the film title applies to the film itself
in more than 1 way.
2. We used the conventions of the thriller genre by not being able to fully see where it is taking place –
which links to the Barthes’ enigma code theory of only figuring out what is going on slightly later on in
the film. This is something we feel the audience will like to keep them hooked, as this links with the
mystery of the film. This image of the staircase is a shot where we only see from the face down – we
see what they are wearing and the colours they’re wearing but not who they are. This is similar to
most mystery thriller films where we are not shown the identity of the person so the audience
become more interested into who it is – at this point of the film the audience don’t know that they will
see who that person is soon, but it is still typical to most opening thrillers where we see the hands or
the back of someone but not who they actually are. Also, this location is quite typical to the mystery
thriller as if you look at the walls, they are different colours, there is boxes in the left of the image – so
it shows us that it is a cluttered, probably old room – not much use is made of it etc, and this is quite
typical to the mystery thriller as the audience look at it and think where are they, what is that room
etc.
3. We used the conventions of a thriller genre here by using the idea of semiotics – what do the
props suggest about the character etc. We have used this angle to show the different props but
not showing the actual person – this is similar to Momentum where we see the keys and his
thumb rubbing his arm, but you don’t see the full body or face of the man doing the actions, only
the action itself. I think with the profession of the main character being a photographer, these
particular props are appropriate. In the film opening of Insomnia, you see from behind the
detective developing pictures and looking at other pictures which is most likely to do with the
crime, and so this is appropriate and typical for this type of thriller as it builds suspense as it is a
crime thriller, and the props are all to do with the crime and the characters. So I think that whilst
these props are not quite as typical for a mystery and psychological thriller, it still builds mystery
and is all linked with the characters and the overall plot of the film, therefore is appropriate.
4. This shows our audience we are using Barthes’ enigma code theory by using this angle to
show the audience different props and possible signs, but not who the character actually is.
This particular angle I feel is quite normal within a mystery thriller as you can see the
different props in the image, and later on in the opening can see the picture and where the
picture is developed is due to the fact that she is a photographer, but also I think this is a
clever shot to use within a thriller opening as you can see someone is writing, but you don’t
know who it is or what they are writing, therefore makes it more of a mystery – the
audience would want to read about what they are writing and who that person is. This is
similar in Se7en when the character is writing in the book yet the audience cannot see what
exactly is being written or who exactly is writing it.
5. This is similar to conventions of the thriller genre as the colouring is darker which links to
the audience and the enigma code – they won’t know why this scene is in black and white,
and links well to the mystery of our film. This scene is in black and white to show the
difference between the normal scene and the future – this allows the audience to see it is
as if it is a flash forward, and they can tell it’s changed within the scene due to there being
2 sets of hands around the character’s neck. The editing we used around this scene is a
quick flash before the character appears in black and white, a quick flash afterwards, to
show this is happening in the photo shoot – and it is not normal.
6. We used conventions of a thriller genre as the colours are black and white, which
represent mystery, and this links well to conventions of a thriller as some psychological
or mystery thrillers tend to have black and white titles. We have chosen to go with the
traditional white on black for our thriller titles – this allows the audience to view this as
a dark, mystery thriller – if it were colourful, or an interesting, large font it may challenge
the type of thriller opening we’re creating. So this is the typical colouring to reinforce
and emphasise the mystery of this opening. This is similar to Identity, the opening titles
is in white on black and dark backgrounds. This is to create a dark atmosphere and a
tense atmosphere.
7. We developed the conventions of the thriller genre here by making the audience guess
who this character is – the enigma code theory so that it is a mystery as to who the
photographer actually is.This is the imaged of someone taking a photo – later on in the
opening sequence we are able to see who and where they’re taking the photos but due to
the type of camera they are using and the earlier scenes showing the negative photos and
the images being developed, so we can work out they are a photographer – hobby or
profession we are unsure of based on this image alone. So this allows the audience to see
who they and what they do – and start thinking about how this photographer makes this
a thriller – how do they impact the film etc.
8. We used the conventions of a thriller genre here by representing this character as a normal
young adult, and the audience not seeing right here she is actually the victim, whereas she later
on the audience see she actually is. As in this scene there is the green screen with the bright
lights on each side, and as this scene follows straight after the scene of the photographer, it is a
way of introducing this character – she is in a photo shoot. This allows the audience to
understand who the first character is, and try to figure out how the second character, and what
is the link between these characters and the film as a whole.
9. Using these close ups links to the conventions of a thriller genre by making the audience
try to guess what these props mean – the semiotics of Barthes’ theory which means this is
a sign for something, or links to something else, but not sure of what at this point in the
film. This image we have chosen to make fuzzier and made it seem quite out of focus which
links to a photographer’s camera goes in and out of focus. This could also link to when the
photographer is seeing something different (the person’s future). The special effects we
used was at the end of the opening just before the title appears, we did a white flash to be
the photographer’s camera flash, and then the title appears.
